Miller: Bagnaia ‘rode amazing, looking super strong’ for 2022 MotoGP title

While the ‘list goes on’ regarding potential MotoGP contenders next season, Francesco Bagnaia is ‘looking super strong’ according to team-mate Jack Miller.
Jack Miller, Francesco Bagnaia, Algarve MotoGP race, 7 November 2021
Jack Miller, Francesco Bagnaia, Algarve MotoGP race, 7 November 2021
© Gold and Goose

Jack Miller believes team-mate Francesco Bagnaia is the favourite for the 2022 MotoGP title following his four wins from six races to close out 2021. 

Ducati and Bagnaia in particular were without doubt the strongest to finish 2021 as the Italian rider also claimed five consecutive pole positions ahead of the season finale in Valencia which he won. 

In fact, an all-Ducati podium at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit saw the Bologna-based manufacturer complete their first ever podium lockout in MotoGP, while Bagnaia’s win, Jorge Martin finishing second and Miller P3 handed Ducati the manufacturers’ title, a week after securing the teams’ championship. 

Miller spoke about that following the final race of the year, while also alluding to himself and Bagnaia doing ‘alright for ourselves’ after some ‘doubted’ whether putting the two former Pramac riders in the factory team was the right call. 

"Fourth in the championship, Pecco [Bagnaia] second in the championship, constructors and teams’ titles; it was a massive year for us,” said Miller. 

"A lot of people doubted it at the beginning - putting me and Pecco in the factory team, but I think we’ve done alright for ourselves. Well, him more than me, but we’re doing alright for ourselves."

Ahead of next season, Miller believes Bagnaia is a firm favourite for the title due to his end of season form, despite many being able to challenge, one of which he hopes is himself as consistency and improving the small details is the Australian rider’s main aim. 

Miller added: "Well after what I’ve seen from Pecco over the last bloody five, six races I mean, it looks like you’ve got to go and win everything. 

"I mean I don’t know. This bloke [Bagnaia] rode amazing at the back end of the season and like I said to him and joked with you guys before; a few more races… wouldn’t he have loved a few more races, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. 

"I think he’s looking super strong, but there’s so many. I mean, Martin is doing a fantastic job, Fabio [Quartararo] is the world champ, and also Mir. 

"The list goes on so I just have to reflect and be better. I have to just improve the little things, consistency being one. 

"I don’t understand what it is and why I always go strong at the end of the season. 

"I think I need to plan trips back to Australia more frequently, because it seems when I’m going to go home I start going alright."

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